What an amazing phenomenon it is that we have the connection possibilities of cell phones, iPhones and of course, email. (And do you even remember letters and notes that are mailed, which are euphemistically entitled "snail mail"?)
In social psychology (here's a link to the syllabus for a just-completed course, but it is offered at Granite State College twice a year: http://bbresources.granite.edu/course_docs/wn10/psy608_wn10_benoit.htm), we like to examine how people communicate, and how effective it is. One of the things we know, for example, is that if people talk fast when trying to convince someone of something, it tends to be more convincing. One fun example that I use when I teach social psychology in class, is how "Axel Foley" (from "Beverly Hills Cop") convinces the workers at a site to stop working on the house they're building just by talking fast about thei1r "mistakes." I couldn't find a youtube link, but if anyone can, please let me know
But with cell phones and iPhones, talking fast isn't what works. It's just clicking. And the compulsion to click. (Of course the clicking has proved fatal when people do it while driving.)
Here's a very telling photograph of a young man at a bar in New York City, with people laughing and connecting with others around him, a bowl of bar treats in front of him, and he's tuned out becuase he's checking his phone for texts: www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/nyregion/03bigcity.html He's missing what's going on at the table where he's present. Actually, of course, he's not really present.
Isn't it amazing that what was developed as a way to connect has become a way that disconnects? Take another look at the photo: www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/nyregion/03bigcity.html
In social psychology (here's a link to the syllabus for a just-completed course, but it is offered at Granite State College twice a year: http://bbresources.granite.edu/course_docs/wn10/psy608_wn10_benoit.htm), we like to examine how people communicate, and how effective it is. One of the things we know, for example, is that if people talk fast when trying to convince someone of something, it tends to be more convincing. One fun example that I use when I teach social psychology in class, is how "Axel Foley" (from "Beverly Hills Cop") convinces the workers at a site to stop working on the house they're building just by talking fast about thei1r "mistakes." I couldn't find a youtube link, but if anyone can, please let me know
But with cell phones and iPhones, talking fast isn't what works. It's just clicking. And the compulsion to click. (Of course the clicking has proved fatal when people do it while driving.)
Here's a very telling photograph of a young man at a bar in New York City, with people laughing and connecting with others around him, a bowl of bar treats in front of him, and he's tuned out becuase he's checking his phone for texts: www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/nyregion/03bigcity.html He's missing what's going on at the table where he's present. Actually, of course, he's not really present.
Isn't it amazing that what was developed as a way to connect has become a way that disconnects? Take another look at the photo: www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/nyregion/03bigcity.html
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